Fans, executives, agents and even reporters want the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes resolved as quickly as possible, the better to unclog the slow-developing trade and free-agent markets. In theory, a Stanton deal might happen at any moment. In reality, due to his complete no-trade clause and the surprising number of teams interested in him, it might take some time.

While Stanton has informed the Miami Marlins of his preferences, as reported on Monday by MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, the conversation between the two sides was not recent, according to major league sources. In addition, Stanton’s list is a moving target, subject to how the reigning National League MVP might view a club after learning of its overall plans, sources said.

The amount of money left on Stanton’s contract—$295 million over the next 10 years—limits the Marlins’ number of suitors, but not to the degree many in the industry expected. Stanton’s opt-out after 2020 might be more of an...

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